H.R. 6719: Combating Online Predators Act
Sponsor
Laurel Lee
Republican · FL-15
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Feb 26, 2026
Passed the House, received in Senate
Why it matters
Online threats targeting minors are rising sharply, putting kids at risk every day.
The Combating Online Predators Act (COP Act) is Congress’s latest push to tackle the alarming surge in sextortion cases, where adults threaten to share sexual images unless minors produce more. The law creates new federal crimes specifically targeting threats used to pressure kids into sending explicit photos or videos. With online harassment against minors at an all-time high, lawmakers argue it’s vital to close legal loopholes that predators exploit.
The COP Act updates existing child exploitation statutes so that threatening to share or create sexual images–even fake ones–with the aim of manipulating a minor is explicitly illegal. It covers both real and believed-to-be minors, making it harder for offenders to dodge charges by claiming ignorance. The law also applies if the threat happens over state lines or online, recognizing the reality of today’s digital world.
This bill responds directly to a spike in headline-grabbing sextortion cases, especially involving teenagers targeted on social media. While the goal is to protect kids, critics may worry about how the law will be enforced and possible free speech concerns if definitions aren’t clear. If signed by the President, the law would arm prosecutors with stronger tools to go after online sexual predators who use new technology to bully and exploit minors.
What does H.R. 6719 do?
Explicitly Outlaws Threats to Minors Online
Makes it a federal crime to threaten to send or share sexual images of a minor to force them to create or share more sexual content.
Covers Believed-Minors as Well as Real Minors
Targets threats even if the victim is only believed to be a minor by the defendant, closing a key loophole.
Expands Crimes Beyond Existing Child Pornography Laws
Adds new types of criminal threats to current laws, not just possession or production of illegal images.
Targets Interstate and Online Threats
Applies to threats made online or across state lines, recognizing how predators operate today.
Strengthens Penalties for Sextortion Tactics
Allows courts to prosecute those who use threats as leverage to force kids into sending explicit material.
Who benefits from H.R. 6719?
Minors and Teenagers
Gain stronger protections against online predators and sextortion schemes.
Parents and Guardians
Get new legal backing if children are targeted by online threats.
Law Enforcement and Prosecutors
Receive clearer authority to prosecute online predators using threats against minors.
Schools and Youth Organizations
Can point to stronger deterrents and legal pathways to protect students from sextortion.
Who is affected by H.R. 6719?
Online Predators
Face new federal charges and harsher penalties for targeting minors, even with just a threat.
Minors Targeted Online
Are covered by expanded legal protections in cases of sextortion or coercion.
Technology and Social Media Companies
May see increased pressure to report threats and cooperate with law enforcement.
General Public
Benefits from added safeguards for youth but may also see debates over privacy and free speech boundaries.
H.R. 6719 Common Questions
Can someone be federally charged for threatening to leak explicit images of a minor online?
Yes. Under the Combating Online Predators Act, knowingly sending or providing a threat to distribute sexual images of a minor in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce becomes a federal crime (SEC. 2(a)(1)(C); SEC. 2(b)(1)(C)).
Does the COP Act apply if the offender only believed the victim was a minor?
Yes. The Combating Online Predators Act covers threats involving a person the defendant believes is a minor, closing that loophole (SEC. 2(a)(1)(C); SEC. 2(b)(1)(C)).
Is threatening to share child sexual images across state lines a federal crime under HR6719?
Yes. According to HR6719 Section 2, the ban applies when the threat is made in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, which includes cross-state and many online communications.
Can a threat alone be illegal even if no explicit image is actually sent?
Yes. Under the COP Act, knowingly distributing, offering, sending, or providing the threat itself is prohibited; the image does not have to be distributed for the offense to apply (SEC. 2(a)(1)(C); SEC. 2(b)(1)(C)).
What are the penalties for threatening to distribute explicit images of a minor under the COP Act?
The bill places the new threat offenses under the existing federal penalty structures in 18 U.S.C. 2252 and 2252A, rather than creating a separate new penalty amount (SEC. 2(a)(2); SEC. 2(b)(2); SEC. 2(b)(3)).
Does HR6719 only cover sending images, or also offering or providing a threat to send them?
It covers more than just sending. According to HR6719 Section 2, knowingly distributing, offering, sending, or providing a threat to distribute the images is prohibited.
Which federal child exploitation laws does the Combating Online Predators Act amend?
The Combating Online Predators Act amends both 18 U.S.C. 2252A and 18 U.S.C. 2252 by adding new threat-to-distribute offenses involving minors or believed minors (SEC. 2(a); SEC. 2(b)).
Does the COP Act create a new federal crime for threats involving child sexual images?
Yes. The bill adds new prohibited acts to federal law for knowingly making threats to distribute sexual images of a minor or a person believed to be a minor (SEC. 2(a)(1)(C); SEC. 2(b)(1)(C)).
Can someone be prosecuted under the COP Act for threatening to share explicit images in foreign commerce?
Yes. Under the Combating Online Predators Act, the offense applies when the threat is made in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce (SEC. 2(a)(1)(C); SEC. 2(b)(1)(C)).
Who can be charged under the Combating Online Predators Act?
Any individual who knowingly distributes, offers, sends, or provides a threat to distribute sexual images of a minor, or someone believed to be a minor, can be charged under the COP Act (SEC. 2).
Based on H.R. 6719 bill text
HR6719 Legislative Journey
Passed Committee
Feb 26, 2026
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee Action
Jan 13, 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
House: Vote Held
Jan 12, 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H628)
House: Vote Held
Dec 18, 2025
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Voice Vote.
House: Committee Action
Dec 15, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
About the Sponsor
Laurel Lee
Republican, Florida's 15th congressional district · 3 years in Congress
Committees: House Administration, the Judiciary, Energy and Commerce
View full profile →
Cosponsors (2)
This bill has 2 cosponsors: 1 Democrat, 1 Republican, reflecting bipartisan support. Cosponsors represent 2 states: Kansas, New York.
Committee Sponsors
Judiciary Committee
0 of 22 committee members cosponsored
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
36 Republicans across these committees haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
What laws does H.R. 6719 change?
1 changes
Sections Amended
Section 2 of PROTECT Our Children Act of 2008 (34 U.S.C. 21101)
striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following: ``(1) Child exploitation
H.R. 6719 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Judiciary
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Introduced
- Dec 15, 2025
Passed the House, received in Senate
Feb 26, 2026
Constituent Resources
H.R. 6719 Bill Text
“To prohibit threats to a minor, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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